Community
Two are better than
one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls
down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to
help them up. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Harvard professor
Robert Putnam wrote a book years ago called Bowling Alone, which documents the
decline in community life in America since the 1960s. The title comes from a
trivial but telling example: the percentage of adults who belong to a bowling
league today is only about a quarter of what it was in the 1960s.
Other examples he
cites are…
These are just a few
examples showing that just about every objective measure of participation in
community and civic life is declining. People are disconnected more than ever.
So it’s no wonder we’re more isolated and more depressed than we’ve ever been.
God never created us
to live life alone. So even if you struggle to make friends, do it anyway. Stay
involved in social gatherings and clubs. Not only will you be encouraged
yourself, you’ll have a platform to build meaningful relationships and share
the Gospel with others.
Prayer Challenge:
Pray that God would
help you continue to build meaningful relationships with others.
Questions for
Thought:
Can you name three
people with whom you have built a close friendship?
What are some
practical steps you can take to start getting more involved in others’ lives?